Many songs have been written over the years about struggles with depression or the grief that follows when someone has taken their own life. “Neon Gravestones” stands apart for how it critically evaluates the way our culture treats the subject of “self-deletion.” Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun of alternative rap duo, Twenty One Pilots, call out subtle deception with defiant resistance.
The Problem
“And my problem?
We glorify those even more when they...”
“We” refers to the leaders of the culture, the influencers, whether that be celebrities or the media. Tyler and Josh are aware that they are highly influential, especially with youth, so they include themselves here. The problem is that, whether intentionally or not, the influencers have collectively glorified suicide. That word, or any of its synonyms, never appears in this song, and that is clearly intentional. As they want to emphasize , they are “just pleading that ‘it’ does not get glorified.”
“Neon gravestones” represent the glamorization of self-inflicted death. They appear beautiful and tempting, but they are a deception.
“What's my problem?
Don't get it twisted
It's with the people we praise who may have assisted”
This song is not meant to be an indictment of those who have taken their own lives, but rather of those who have communicated that “an earlier grave is an optional way.”
The Temptation
“I could give up, and boost up my reputation
I could go out with a bang, they would know my name
They would host and post a celebration”
As a famous musician, Tyler Joseph confesses that it is tempting to truly make a name for himself by taking his own life at the height of his fame. He could be “legendary,” like others before him who have gone that route. If he dies a natural death much later in life, it will go unnoticed by most, and only those who truly love him will care.
“Promise me this
If I lose to myself
You won't mourn a day
And you'll move onto someone else”
Joseph urges us to not reward him if he should give in to the temptation. It is better that he should be forgotten. The phrase, “lose to myself” is meant to convey that giving in is failure. It is not heroic. It should not be celebrated. While it may be unrealistic to ask his fans to not mourn in such a situation, this can be seen as him wanting an easier way forward. The thought of millions of people mourning for him could feed his pride and be his own “neon gravestone.” If he knew that wouldn’t happen, perhaps he wouldn’t be so strongly tempted.
Resistance
“Neon gravestones try to call for my bones
But they won't get them
No, they won't get them”
Joseph is defiant against the cultural pressures. He has decided he will not let the enemy win!
“And could it be true that some could be tempted
To use this mistake as a form of aggression
A form of succession, a form of a weapon
Thinking "I'll teach them, " well, I'm refusing the lesson”
The message communicated by cultural elites is dangerous, and the young are especially vulnerable. Joseph is taking a stand for himself, but also for his listeners, that they will not be deceived. By calling attention to this battle, and by choosing his side, he is empowering others to join him. Together, we will resist the temptation and fight for our own lives and the lives of others, because life itself is worth fighting for!
“Find your grandparents or someone of age
Pay some respects for the path that they paved
To life they were dedicated
Now, that should be celebrated!”
How do we show our defiance? We celebrate life itself in the midst of a culture of death. We choose to live, and we give honor to those who have shown us how to do so. They are the ones we ought to look up to. If we exchange our defeated heroes for those who never stopped fighting, we can likewise learn to fight every temptation to give up and give in.
Conclusion
As one of the most influential artists for young people today, it is greatly encouraging that Twenty One Pilots are using their platform to promote positive, life-affirming messages. “Neon Gravestones” is just one of a growing catalog of meaningful songs they have written that are making a difference in people’s lives. More of this, please!
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